Therefore, having
these promises,
beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7: 1
Paul now
begins to close his last argument by exhorting all Christians to have universal
holiness. Why? Because we have faithful and true promises
that we can examine and when done so will find that other than those that are
to be fulfilled in the future all of God's promises have come true as
prophesied. So what's the problem? Why do people not listen to what God's Word
has instructed us so that we would be pleasing to Him knowing that the true God
has not told us anything to do that is not for our benefit? Once again I want to clarify a particular
Greek word not that it has been translated improperly but not given us the
fullest definition of this word: καθαρίσωμεν, this is where we get the word
catharsis, so it has to do with cleansing.
Furthermore, this word is plural in the first person, it is aorist, that
is something that has occurred at a particular time, particularly in the
past. And it is also active so it
should be being done in the present and it is subjective so it is each
Christian’s duty to cleanse themselves and to continue to keep themselves clean
in the sight of God. Notice also that
we are to cleanse ourselves from all and here the Greek word is: πάντος, which
is a singular and is a genitive word that could be either masculine or neuter and
in this case of course it's speaking of a person so it will be in the masculine
and is genitive and it means "of all" or "every" so that it
is not one thing but everything that must be cleansed that is affecting us in
the flesh and those things that are affecting us in our spirit. The Greek word that is used that we
translate as filthiness speaks of pollution that is to be defiled and
contaminated morally. The work that we
translate as perfecting correctly is translated as a participle and it is in
the present and active sense morally so that it is an ongoing work. The only time this work will end us when we
enter into heaven where we will live eternally and no longer be subjected
sin. I take that time to show the Greek
words and not to show how smart I am.
For I use what you can also use that is the various concordances or lexicons
to find the correct understanding of the Greek words for this is done so that
we will come to a better understanding of what the Holy Spirit had the writers
of the Bible record for us. Paul here
is entreating the whole Church to cleanse themselves now, and continually while
they are here on this earth. Paul entreated the Corinthians, and us, to have the
same affection to him as he had for them:
"Open your heart to us. We have
wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one" (2
Corinthians 7:2). You will notice
that in your Bible the words "your hearts" are in italics and in the
overall picture is not entirely incorrect in as much as this is an artistic
license taken from the Greek word used here which simply is speaking of making
room for something or to proceed or go forward, to give mental admittance to,
or esteem, or to regard cordially. This
we ought to do for those men who are truthfully leading your congregation and
teaching you the truth of God's Word.
They are not wronging anyone nor are they attempting to corrupt anyone
and they certainly are not cheating towards anyone. Now, not in all cases for
we know of pastors who have usurped their position and taught heresy, in the
least falsely, and often have cheated the congregation they are to lead to the
truth. Therefore, we have a
responsibility to examine all things and then hold fast to the truth. This will take time for us to study and pray
and to think upon that which is being taught to you and that which you are
reading. Are you perfecting yourself in
the holiness and in the reverent fear of God?
An important question! Paul
greatly rejoiced in the middle of all of his trials and tribulations and we see
this when Paul wrote Titus and gave an account of the Corinthian's readiness to
comply with the orders of his former letters and in regards to the good affect
the both letters produced so that which he wrote to them produced repentance. Are you sorrowful to the point of
repentance? Are you just living on your
past and have some sort of pride in how you came from such a horrible
background and now to believe in God?
If so get rid of that pride: the past is the past! We are to move forward and remove all
filthiness from our flesh and from our spirit and this is to be done
continually we are to progress in our holiness. Think upon this: the promises of God give a strong inducement for
our sanctification and that sanctification comes about as we rid ourselves
from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Again, ask yourself this question: where I am going when I take Jesus
Christ with me? Sin is filthiness and
by this filthiness our minds and our spirits become defiled, therefore we must
cleanse ourselves from both for we are to glorify God by both our body and our
soul. This will require our sincerity
so that we live unto righteousness and holiness and this would be true if we
hope in God as our Father. If we do so
then our aim must be to become perfected while we are in this world even though
we may not be completely perfected God judges our motives and our actions and
this is what we will report to God when we are judged on the last day. All this is going to require that we change
from the Inside/Out. This will take
work! This should be the object of our
prayers! We are always in the presence
of God, therefore we should be influenced by fear of Him or remember He witnesses
our conduct. To end this blog today, a
day of infamy, September 11, 2001, we should be driven to bring the Gospel to
our world and manifest God in all of our actions, decisions, not only for our
brothers and sisters, also for our fellow citizens of the United States. As Paul rejoiced even in his trials and
tribulations we also can be filled with comfort and exceeding joy in all of our
trials and tribulations and this to the praise of our Savior Jesus Christ whose
God for ever.
The works of His hands are verity and justice;
all His
precepts are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever.
And are
done in truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has
commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.
Psalm
111: 7 -- 9
Praise the name of God in all you do
No comments:
Post a Comment